“FBI agents raided the Alexandria home of President Trump’s former campaign chairman late last month, using a search warrant to seize documents and other materials, according to people familiar with the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.”

“Federal agents appeared at Paul Manafort’s home without advance warning in the predawn hours of July 26, the day after he met voluntarily with the staff for the Senate Intelligence Committee.”

Mount Vernon Home/ Alexandria, VA

“The search warrant was wide-ranging and FBI agents working with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III departed the home with various records.”

“The raid came as Manafort has been voluntarily producing documents to congressional committees investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. The search warrant indicates investigators may have argued to a federal judge they had reason to believe Manafort could not be trusted to turn over all records in response to a grand jury subpoena.”

“It could also have been intended to send a message to President Trump’s former campaign chairman that he should not expect gentle treatment or legal courtesies from Mueller’s team.”

“The documents included materials Manafort had already provided to Congress, said people familiar with the search.”“If the FBI wanted the documents, they could just ask [Manafort] and he would have turned them over,” said one adviser close to the White House.”

“The search came as Mueller has increased legal pressure on Manafort, consolidating under his authority a series of unrelated investigations into various aspects of Manafort’s professional and personal life.”

“Manafort’s allies fear that Mueller hopes to build a case against Manafort unrelated to the 2016 campaign, in hopes that the former campaign operative would provide information against others in Trump’s inner circle in exchange for lessening his own legal exposure.”

“Manafort has provided documents to both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate and House intelligence committees. The documents are said to include notes Manafort took while attending a meeting with Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower in June 2016.”

“Emails show Trump Jr. took the meeting and invited Manafort after he was promised the lawyer would deliver damaging information about Hillary Clinton as part of a Russian government effort to assist his father’s campaign.”

14 comments

As soon as I saw this news this morning, I thought “Gronda will write about that today … ” Great job, Gronda! I can always rely on you to be on top of these things. As for Manafort … I do not trust him one bit, and I am glad to see that obviously Mueller doesn’t either. I hope he soon subpoenas DDT’s tax returns! Hugs!!!

Agreed, and I am glad that Mueller is keeping a tight lid on the investigation. He and his team are professionals, unlike those in the administration. As re Manafort, he has probably been regretting ever hearing the name ‘Trump’ for quite some time now. I’ve been regretting hearing that name for two years! I want to someday be able to erase it from memory. Lobotomy, perhaps? Hugs!!!

It’s always interesting when law enforcement feel they need to make a high profile raid on someone with a high profile in the political arena.
You would normally think these things would be done discreetly.
This seems to suggest the FBI would view anyone surrounding or associated the incumbent in the Whitehouse as being hostile to the well-being of the USA.

This step sent those watching this reality show, a whole host of signals. The first being that the FBI does not trust Mr. Manafort to be fully forthcoming with requested data; that Mr. Manafort is probably a prime target who the FBI would like to turn; and that this investigation is serious business and not a hoax. DDT in the WH should be shaking in his golf shoes.

Hello Gronda.
This was one of the scenarios I was wondering would happen.
I speak here with my UK Civil Servant (retired) hat on.
Within the establishment of the professional administration of a democracy there is an inherent tendency towards a stability. Any incoming government which shows a distain for that stability and worse a willingness to unsettle the population at large is looked upon with at best grave suspicion or an animosity. This is often played out in subtle ways.
In this case we have an administration which is uncaring of how much it offends the majority of the population. Something which is dangerous and irresponsible, thus The Establishment will work to neutralise it.
Now the Conspiracy Tin-Foil brigade can squawk as much as they like about that, but for mature people it makes sense. The stability of a Nation is in the end paramount. You can have progress and stability; otherwise there will be bloodshed; History warns us of that.
Best wishes
Roger

As more and more information drips out, it seems that Mr. Maniforts problems and those around him are growing. Please notice that the area served by Preet Bharara was involved in the investigation prior to his dismissial! I would suspect that tRump is sweating bullets about now! No wonder he feels the need to attack N. Korea to divert attention from the investigation…

DDT would love to deflect but he would only be postponing the inevitable. And yes, he is sweating bullets and there is not a darn thing he can do to alter his future demise and winning the prize in the history books as being the worst president ever in USA. HE’LL GO DOWN IN INFAMY.